Join me "inside the pack" as I run in road races, trail races, and mountain races–including classics such as the Boston Marathon and Mt. Washington Road Race. Action photos and HD videos put you in the thick of a new race each week! (Yes, I take these photos AS I RUN.)

Race #7 in the Locorunning “Will Run For Beer” Series)

Smuttynose is the final race in the “Will Run for Beer” race series. All are fun events, and this was no exception.

I ran with a camera, and took pictures as I ran. (Yes, I took photos as I ran. I didn’t stop or slow down. After all, I was in a race!) If you click on the “Play” button in the center of the photo below, you can view my slideshow, and get a first-person experience of theview my slideshow, and get a first-person experience of the 2009 Smuttynose 5K in Newmarket, NH.

Early in February I suffered a back injury. For more than a month, I could only take a step or two–then had to stop because of the pain. It took a lo-o-ng time to hobble to the kitchen, or the bathroom. I saw my phystical therapist two or three times a week…but other than that, I never set foot outside.

Three weeks ago I was finally able to walk…so I put on my running shoes and went outside. Could I run? I didn’t even try. My physical therapist was very clear about that. No running! But he said an easy jog would be okay.

I managed a third of a mile.

(I know. That’s not very far. But for me it was fantastic!)

Over the last three weeks I built up my distance to six miles. So today is a big test for me. If I can run 13.1 miles and feel okay afterwards, then I will enter the Boston Marathon. (I have a number for Boston…but Marathon Monday is just two weeks away. ) It’s a dumb, dumb idea…but I have the number. Is it possible?

I’ll find out today. If I can’t finish this Half, or if I’m limping afterwards, then Boston is out of the question. But maybe I can reach the finish line…

So my goal today is not a particular time. I just want to finish, without limping. I’m carrying a small camera, so you can join me as I try to run the 2009 Great Bay Half Marathon.

Two or three minutes into the race...

(I took this photo, and the others below, while running.)

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All right! Let’s get to the good stuff–an HD video that gives you a first-person experience of running this race. Go ahead! Click the ‘Play’ button below…

Were you at this race–and if so, what did you like best about it? What could be improved?

(If you weren’t there, I hope these photos and HD video gave you a taste of the race…and I hope I’ll see you at a race next week.)

You run four miles on an absolutely flat out-and-back course that lets you cheer for all your running friends you haven’t seen for months. After the race there’s food, beer, and a raffle at the Winners Circle Bar…

…but before that, of course, we’ve got to run those four miles. So run with me now…

Race #3 in the Locorunning “Will Run For Beer” Series)

Why are there no photos in this blog entry? Why no photos of this race?

Because I’m not there.

I pre-registered for the Half at the Hamptons, and looked forward to it. I think of it as a good benchmark in my training for Boston…

…but right now I can’t run. Can’t even walk. I get sudden, intense pain in my, err, butt with every step, no matter how gently I try to move. So I

Just. Can’t. Walk.

Hope to recover soon. But for now, no races.

(I am only including this page because later this year you might want to click on the link at the right, labelled “Will Run for Beer”…and I don’t want you to wonder, What happened to Race #3 in the Series?)

Race #3 is happening just fine. But, alas, it is happening without me.

Race #2 in the Locorunning “Will Run For Beer” Series

The “Inauguration Day 5K” is a new race, held this year on a bitterly cold day.

Despite the cold, it’s a beautiful day. Bright, sunny, and filled with a flow of happy runners.

I’m running run with a camera, and taking pictures as I run. (Yes, I take photos as I run. I don’t stop or slow down. After all, I’m in a race!) If you click on the “Play” button in the center of the photo below, you can view my slideshow, and get a first-person experience of the 2009 Inauguration 5K in Durham, NH:

Race #1 in the Locorunning “Will Run For Beer” Series)

But that won’t keep Real runners indoors. So hundreds of us converge in Salisbury, MA for the Hangover Classic.

The Hangover Classic is a beloved New Year’s Day run in Salisbury Beach, MA. There’s a 5K and a 10K…and an optional “Plunge” for runners who want to jump into the ocean after crossing the finish line.

This year the weather is brutal–temps never climb above 13 degrees, and there is a relentless north wind that never drops below 30 mph. I carry a small camera and intend to take pictures while running, but my hands are so cold that I can’t operate the camera. So this blog entry and associated slideshow feature no pictures taken “on the run”…but plenty of pre-race and post-race photos.

Despite the arctic weather, this is a great race, and a great way to ring in the new year!

Many thanks to Locorunning and to the Winners Circle Running Club for putting on this great race.

If you click on the “Play” button in the center of the photo below, you can view my slideshow, and get a taste of the 2009 Hangover Classic in Salisbury, MA: